Grandview mulls sharing animal control duties with neighboring towns

GRANDVIEW - The possibility of sharing an animal control person between Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser was discussed yesterday, Thursday, at a Grandview City Council planning meeting.

According to Grandview Police Chief Dave Charvet, the Humane Society of Central Washington has put together a draft contract that would allow for all three cities to participate in animal control cost sharing.

Charvet explained that when Grandview's previous full-time animal control officer left her position, the city already knew it was facing an upcoming budget crunch and opted not to fill the vacant position.

Grandview Mayor Norm Childress said the community has taken note of the lack of an animal control officer, and that residents frequently grumble to him about feral cats and stray dogs.

"Now, we might be able to bring that service back," Childress said. "I think this is an excellent opportunity to bring this service back and make it affordable."

How it would work is the Humane Society animal control person would work in Prosser one day, Grandview for two days and Sunnyside for two days, as well.

"One benefit of this (proposed) contract is flexibility," said City Administrator Scott Staples.

Staples added, "One of the things we're committed to is partnerships with Sunnyside and Prosser. It's a potential success and a winner with partnerships."

The cost to Grandview would be $19,680 per year; the total cost of the contract including what Sunnyside and Prosser would pay is $49,200.

Council instructed staff to broach the subject during a regularly scheduled meeting in the future, as no decisions were made during the planning meeting.